Health Care Assistants (HCAs) are there for people at their most vulnerable — in hospitals, long-term care homes, and community settings across BC. In this program, you’ll learn to provide safe, compassionate care: supporting personal care, mobility, and daily routines while communicating effectively with clients, families, and the care team. There’s a special focus on supporting clients with complex health conditions and cognitive challenges — the skills employers need most.
Elevare's HCA program is fully recognized, provincially backed, and employer-ready. With 270 hours of built-in work experience, you graduate with real-world practice and a direct pathway to employment in one of BC’s highest-demand fields
Program Highlights
| Duration | 26 weeks / 773 hours (including 270 hours work experience) |
|---|---|
| Work Experience Hours | 270 |
| Curriculum | What you'll learn to do:
|
| Certification | Certificate - Graduates are eligible to register with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry |
| Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code | 51.2601 - Health aide |
| Compliance | Health Care Assistant was reviewed and approved by the registrar of The Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) within the System Integrity Branch (SIB) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. |
The Health Care Assistant program delivered by Elevare Career Institute has been granted a full, 3 year recognition status by the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry (BCCACHWR). The BCCACHWR reviews and recognizes Health Care Assistant (HCA) education programs in BC to ensure that these programs are: following the provincial curriculum, implementing a common set of training standards and graduating competent front-line health care providers. Confirming that HCAs meet registration requirements is integral to the Registry’s mandate of client protection and improved standards of care. For more info, please visit www.cachwr.bc.ca This program leads to employment in a regulated career occupation. | |
| BC Job Openings, 2023-2033 | In High Demand |
Admissions Requirements
HCA Program Entry Requirements
- All candidates must meet with an admissions advisor before enrollment.
- Proof of Grade 10 completion (or Equivalent)1 OR mature student status 2
- Proof of meeting the English Language Competency Requirements as outlined by the BCCACHWR
- Applicants who provide evidence of three years of full-time instruction in English4 must also provide proof of one of the following:
- Completion of Grade 10 English5 (or higher). A minimum of a C grade is acceptable.
- Completion of college courses determined to be equivalent to Grade 10 English (or higher) by post-secondary institutions. A minimum of a C grade is acceptable.
- ACCUPLACER Next Generation Test Results: Reading 230, Writing 230, and Writeplacer 4.
- Applicants who cannot provide evidence of three years of full-time instruction in English are required to provide proof of one of the following standardized proficiency tests from an authorized assessment agency:
- Canadian Language Benchmarks test (in person or remote) 6. Test in the last year. Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6, and Writing 6.
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP General). Test in the last two years. Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6, and Writing 6.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic, IELTS General, IELTS Academic Online). Test in the last two years. Overall score of 6 with a minimum of 6 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 5.5 in Reading and Writing.
- Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL or CAEL Online). Test in the last two years. Overall Score of 60, with no section less than 50.
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition). Test in the last two years.
- (for tests taken prior to Jan 21, 2026) Overall score of 76 with no score lower than 20 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 18 in Reading and Writing.
- (for tests taken on or after Jan 21, 2026) Overall score of 4 with no score lower than 4 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 3.5 in Reading and Writing.
- Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for nurses (CELBAN) results. Test in the last 2 years. Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 6, Writing 6.
- Canadian Language Benchmarks7 (CLB) Report Card from a Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Program indicating "Completing" CLB Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7, and Writing 7 AND "Recommended Class Placement" as Speaking 8, Listening 8, Reading 8, and Writing 8.
- Applicants who provide evidence of three years of full-time instruction in English4 must also provide proof of one of the following:
- If the candidate is an international student, a clear and valid police certificate8 from country of origin is also required. A clear record/certificate must be presented and on file before enrolment.
1 The institute will consult to ICES Country Specific Information or ICAS International Education Guides to determine equivalency.
2 A mature student is defined as an individual who is at least 19 years of age by the start date of the program.
3 Defined as three (3) years of full-time secondary and/or post-secondary education at a recognized institution (defined as an institution that is in good standing with the Ministry of Education or equivalent in the country of origin) on the list of Approved English Speaking Countries. Secondary education will be considered starting from grade 8. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses will not be considered.
4 Applicants must provide a transcript and/or a BC personal education record as evidence of completion of a minimum of three years of full-time secondary (inclusive of grade 8) or post-secondary instruction in English. It is expected that the student has taken full-time studies (with a minimum of 18 credits per academic year (60% course load). Documentation should indicate completion of a minimum of six semesters with a minimum of 54 credits in total.
5 Includes any English Language Arts 10 course or General Educational Development (GED) indicating completion of the English requirement.
6 The institute will need to verify the CLBPT is conducted with a licensed CLBPT Assessment Centre by a certified CLBPT language assessor.
7 Only test results conducted at a recognized Language Assessment Centre/Location by a certified CLB language assessor will be accepted. Self-assessment tests, e.g., CLB-Online Self-Assessment (OSA), cannot be accepted.
8 Applies to all international students, including those currently residing in Canada. A certificate without an expiry date must have been issued within the last five years.
Work Experience
Prerequisites for Practice Education
- Successful completion of all theoretical courses with a minimum of 75% grade in each course
- Successful demonstration of skills testing in preparation for practice experiences
- Evidence of one of the following:
- First Aid Certification
- CPR Level "C" Certification or "Basic Life Support (BLS)" Certification
- Foodsafe Level 1 Certification (or a certificate course deemed equivalent)
- Completion of the Student Practice Education Core Orientation (SPECO) (available on the LearningHub), which must include the following:
- A signed checklist SPECO Checklist (phsa.ca)
- Proof of meeting current immunizations / vaccinations9 as per health care organization policies / guidelines (or signed vaccination exemption form, except TB):
- Negative TB skin test result. If the TB skin test is positive, a negative chest x-ray is required.
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Varicella, Hepatitis B, Pertussis, COVID-19, Influenza, Polio.
- Criminal record check (CRC) from the Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP).
- Provincial Violence Prevention E-Learning Modules
- WHMIS - Provincial Course
- Completion of the Health Care Assistant Practice in BC E-Learning Modules (LearningHub)
- Completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Adult Abuse course (LearningHub)
- The following are strongly recommended:
- A health declaration (or equivalent) completed by the applicant confirming they understand the role of the HCA and are prepared to learn and practice HCA skills and competencies.
- Mental Health First Aid (available through the Mental Health Commission of Canada)
- Dementia Care Training Certificate
- Provincial Violence Curriculum In Person Workshop - available through SafeCare BC; may be required for placement, confirm with placement site and view information here: Violence Prevention Training for Students.pdf (healthcarebc.ca)
- In addition to HCA Program Curriculum coverage and the HCA Practice in BC E-Learning module (Module 3), completion of further coursework in Indigenous cultural safety and humility
9 Elevare Career Institute respects that vaccination is a personal choice. However, please be aware that BC Centre for Disease Control has specific vaccination requirements for health care workers in BC. Many practice education sites follow these requirements to ensure the safety of their residents, clients, and staff. Not having the recommended vaccinations may limit your available practice education site options.
Tuition and Fees
| Tuition | $9,070 |
| Fees: | |
| Books | $245 |
| Consumables / Supplies | $145 |
| Scrubs / Uniform | $165 |
| Administrative Fee | $120 |
| Application Fee | $250 |
| Total Tuition and Fees | $9,995 |
| Payment plans are available for all programs, interest-free , typically split into 6 equal monthly payments of approximately $1,666. Funding is available for those who qualify. | |
Reviews
Reviews from verified graduates of this program collected via Google. See all school reviews →
I had a wonderful experience at this school. The instructors were supportive, knowledgeable, and always willing to help throughout the program. The learning environment was welcoming, and I gained valuable knowledge and practical skills throughout the program. I appreciate the encouragement and guidance I received from both the staff and my classmates. Thank you for making my learning journey enjoyable and rewarding. I highly recommended elevare institute. Thank you.
Great institute with a variety of courses to choose from. The teachers are friendly and helpful, and the staff is supportive. I had a good learning experience and would recommend Elevare Career Institute.
I had a great experience with Elevare Career Institute while completing my program. The instructors were supportive, knowledgeable, and always willing to help whenever I had questions. The training was well-organized, practical, and helped me build the confidence and skills needed for my career. I really appreciate the guidance, encouragement, and positive learning environment provided throughout the program. The staff was friendly and made the whole learning journey smooth and enjoyable. Thank you Elevare Career Institute for the valuable experience and for helping me move one step closer to my career goals. I would definitely recommend this institute to anyone looking for quality education and career-focused training.
I highly recommend the HCA program at Elevare . The instructors were supportive and genuinely cared about our success, and the mix of classroom learning and hands-on practice made everything feel real and practical. They also provide excellent job search support, which really helps when transitioning into the workforce. It’s a fast-paced program, but the school prepared us well for working in healthcare.
I am very pleased to share my positive experience at Elevare College. The staff are highly educated, cooperative, and friendly, always ready to support students whenever needed. Their approachable nature creates a welcoming atmosphere that makes learning comfortable and enjoyable. The college environment is excellent—clean, safe, and well-maintained—which helped me stay focused and motivated throughout my studies. I completed my HCA course classes here and am now ready to begin my practicum. Throughout my entire journey, I managed two jobs while attending classes and commuting from West Kelowna. Despite the challenges, I was always punctual—often arriving 15 minutes before class started. This experience truly taught me that hard work pays off, and I am grateful to Elevare College for being part of my success. I would highly recommend Elevare College to anyone looking for a supportive and positive learning environment.
i took health care aide program in elevare career institute. everything was prefect, teacher was so good friendly, helpful always motivating and encouraging us.
I had a wonderful experience at Elevare Institute and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for quality education in a supportive environment. The institute truly provides excellent education, and what I appreciated the most was the small class size. Because of this, every student gets individual attention and the opportunity to ask questions and participate actively in class. The teachers and staff members genuinely care about their students’ success. They are extremely friendly, approachable, and always willing to help whenever support is needed. Their guidance made learning much easier and more enjoyable, and they really go the extra mile to ensure students understand the material and feel confident. Another great advantage of Elevare Institute is the flexible class schedule. They offer both morning and evening classes, which made it very easy to manage my time. At one point, I was working two jobs, yet I was still able to attend classes and keep up with my studies without feeling overwhelmed. Overall, Elevare Institute provided me with a positive learning experience and a supportive atmosphere that helped me grow both academically and personally. I am very grateful for the experience and highly recommend this institute to others
Alda is the Admissions advisor at Elevare Career Institute, and she´s fantastic. She´s friendly, professional, and made everything easy to understand — even student loans. I left feeling ready to take my next step. Check it out!